Tasmania's often talked about parochialism may be put to bed on Monday when the Liberal Party decides its next leader.
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In the wake of the resignation Premier Will Hodgman, two contenders for the mantle of leader have emerged - Bass boys Peter Gutwein and Michael Ferguson.
Treasurer Mr Gutwein will enter the party room alongside Jeremy Rockliff, who is seeking to keep his title as deputy leader. His popularity put him as a front runner of The Examiner's poll of its readers on who they would like to have as their next premier, but he ruled out that possibility on Thursday.
On the other side of the bench is former Health Minister Michael Ferguson, who will run on a ticket with southern-based Corrections Minister Elise Archer. Despite what the outcome will be on Monday, the North is set to have its first head honcho in decades.
The last Liberal premier to have resided in the North is arguably Robin Gray, who lived at Norwood but was elected to the seat of Lyons. He was Premier between 1982 and 1989. Mr Gray defeated Labor's Harry Holgate from Bass, who was premier in 1981 and 1982. The benefits of having a Northern-based premier is that they will live in the middle of the state.
Close enough to the North-West and close enough to the South, while being acutely aware of the issues that face Launceston and Northern Tasmania more broadly.
And at the end of the day, elections are historically won in the North and helped both Liberal state and federal governments win power recently.
A Northern premier would have the opportunity to fully divest Tasmania of the vestiges of its parochialism and unite Tasmania - as they say, it's best to practice what you preach. Mr Hodgman, with his likeable personality and down-to-earth persona, did his level best to create that legacy, and what better way to continue it than with a Northern leader. While a little parochialism doesn't hurt, a Northern leader would allow the party to ensure it is on the ground in all areas of the state and cover as much ground as possibly, literally and figuratively.
In this parliamentary race, it appears Bass can't lose. At least for the next two years.